Most of us toil in offices instead of fields. But that doesn’t mean we can’t get our hands dirty and celebrate the fall harvest at a variety of pick-your-own farms throughout the Reno-Tahoe region.

Autumn is a great time to rally your gang and scope out the perfect pumpkin, pluck some apples, or stock up on the last tomatoes and raspberries of the season. Combine these pick-your-own experiences with other iconic fall pursuits — such as corn mazes and hayrides –– and you have the makings of an ideal fall day.

“Pick-your-own can become a family outing tradition — we have generational pick-your-own families that come to our farm,” says Rick Lattin, of Lattin Farms.

After years of transforming his Fallon-based farm into an autumnal family fun destination, Lattin now has a large devoted local following. A corn maze designer extraordinaire, Lattin says farm activities are not only fun, but educational.

“Everyone needs to know where their food comes from and how it’s grown,” Lattin says. “This is especially important for kids who think Cheerios grow on trees. Just like bird watching, farmer watching can be a valuable experience. They are the nation’s most endangered species after all!”

Before you load up the car and embark on your fall farm adventure, consider these tips:

PICK-YOUR-OWN PRIMER

Call ahead for price and availability

Make sure you know whether the farm provides containers or if you need to bring your own

Ask about farm amenities. Do they offer water? Is food available for sale?

Dress like a farmer. Be prepared for the weather. Wear a hat, and footwear that protects from weeds, stickers, and more

Some farms accept credit cards and checks, but cash is the best method for pick-your-own produce

Best time to pick? Try to plan your visit during the early morning or late afternoon hours for the best quality of produce

Observe the farm’s signs and directions and practice produce-picking etiquette

PUMKIN PICKING POINTERS

Pumpkins are heavy; consider taking a small wagon to carry the bounty

Pumpkin carvers should bring their designs along to find the perfect pumpkin canvas for their handiwork

Farmers offer a variety of pumpkins. Typically the small ones are great for baking and the larger ones are best used for carving

Don’t pick a pumpkin up by its stem as it may break off and ruin the pumpkin’s natural aesthetic

FALL PICK-YOUR-OWN-FARMS

Lattin Farms This Fallon-based farm offers not only organic fall pick-your-own produce (their tomatoes and raspberries are legendary), but also a plethora of fun family activities from corn mazes to pumpkin towers. Visit Lattinfarms.com or call 866-638-6293 for hours of operation.

Ferrari Farm Just minutes from downtown Reno at Rock Boulevard and Mill Street, Ferrari Farm offers aisles of planted pumpkin crops as well as hayrides, a corn maze (try it at night with a flashlight), and much more. Open from Oct. 1 – 31. For details, call 775-856-4962.

Corley Ranch This Gardnerville-based working ranch pulls out the stops every year with its annual Carson Valley Harvest Festival held 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. every weekend during the month of October. For event details, visit Corleyranch.com or call 775-265-3045.

Andelin Family Farm This pumpkin patch/fall festival in Spanish Springs (in Reno) will include seven varieties of pumpkins. The farm also has animals to see and feed, a hayride, barnyard activities, a hay maze, and an art barn with dress up, crafts, and story time. Admission is $5 per person (babies 1 year and under are free). The fee includes a $1 credit towards any pumpkin. Open 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tues. – Thurs. and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Fri. and Sat. Oct. 1 – 31. For details, visit Andelinfamilyfarm.blogspot.com.

Hungry Mother Organics Bring the kids down to Hungry Mother in Minden.They will have squash, cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, pumpkins, and more ripe for the plucking. For details, visit Hungrymotherorganics.com or call 775-267-3084.

Apage Organics After a total crop failure last year, due to the weather, Agape in Washoe Valley wasn’t open for pick-your-own organic apples. As of this writing, it appears the situation could be heading in this direction again this year. But there’s a chance they may be open. So be sure to call before you arrive at 775-885-1988 or visit Agapeorganics.com.

Apple Hill While not next door, Apple Hill is just a 2.5-hour drive from Reno. More than nine orchards/farms offer a pick-your-own experience. Avoid weekends if you can or get ready for large crowds. It’s a popular autumn destination. For details, visit Applehill.com.

Lake Tahoe-based Writer Ann Lindemann is a frequent contributor to edible Reno-Tahoe and her work can be found in a variety of regional and national publications. She loves picking her own produce and hayrides, but finds corn mazes a tad claustrophobic.

CONTACT DETAILS

OUR READERS SAY...

I wanted to send you a quick note after reading the latest issue of your magazine because I thought it was fabulous! I loved the well-written content, the beautiful layout, fun infographics/illustrations, balance of ads to editorial and paper selection. It's not often I thumb through an entire mag but this one I read cover to cover. Bravo on a beautiful magazine!

– L Hogan

OUR READERS SAY...

I just wanted to drop a short note to let you know how much I've loved discovering your magazine! Having been an art director for trade publications for nearly 15 years, I have a pretty critical eye for print media and yours is really great. The photography is engaging and I think you really pull the reader into every subject you cover. I found myself interested in articles I normally wouldn't be, and I think that says a lot for your design and format.– Kippy Spilker

OUR READERS SAY...

The winter issue is beautiful...so many good things to eat!– Marnie McArthur

OUR READERS SAY...

I am so impressed with the spring issue of edible! There are so many great resources and articles in this edition. It always kicks a** but you gals continue to ramp it up to the next level! Thank you for highlighting women in ag and working with the food co-op, too! So, after you dropped off the magazine, they were all gone in about two hours.– Nicole Sallaberry

Valerie Marquis

I was at Nothing To It the evening you were talking about the launch of this new read. I thought, 'a fresh, forward publication for Reno. Sounds appealing.' When it arrived, I fell in love. The pages were crisp with the new food mindset, chock full of inspiration to eat and shop locally.– Valerie Marquis

OUR READERS SAY...

CONGRATS on your year plus in business! Edible Reno-Tahoe is such a great addition to the growing foodie scene. I love your magazine!– Nicole Cheslock

OUR READERS SAY...

Picked up a copy of edible Reno-Tahoe at the Brooklyn Museum Egyptian Art event at the Nevada Art Museum ... love the mag, keep up the great job!– R. Keith Rugg

OUR READERS SAY...

I just picked up the latest edition at Whole Foods. Wow! You have done an amazing job. I am going to hang onto this magazine and consult it frequently. I imagine my copy will be dog-eared and tattered by the time your next edition comes out. You have a real dynamic going and I hope to see the magazine for years to come. I can't wait to tell my friends and family about it.– Yvonne Reese

OUR READERS SAY...

Your magazine just keeps getting better and better! Loved this issue! My 12-year-old son picked it up and was fascinated by the solar cookers. He wants to build one.– Mark Kattleman

OUR READERS SAY...

Our company made a commitment a year ago to advertise in edible Reno-Tahoe magazine to reach our target market of home gardeners and those who appreciate knowing how to produce their own food using quality gardening ingredients. With their help, we have grown our commitment to eight other Edible communities in the Western states.– Mike McLain, Kellogg Garden Products